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Early Japan Reading Strategy Complete the diagram on page 484 Shinto Religion Animism Honor the Kami at shrines Ask the Kami for help Ritual cleansing to remove spiritual stains

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Japan’s Geography Japan is a chain of islands that stretches north to south in the northern Pacific Ocean.Japan is a chain of islands that stretches north to south in the northern Pacific Ocean. The islands of Japan’s are mountaintops that rise from the floor of the ocean.The islands of Japan’s are mountaintops that rise from the floor of the ocean. The four largest islands of Japan are Hokkaido, Honshu, Shikoku, and Kyushu.The four largest islands of Japan are Hokkaido, Honshu, Shikoku, and Kyushu. Many of the mountains are volcanoes.*Many of the mountains are volcanoes.*

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Japan’s Geography *Very little of Japan’s land is farmable. Throughout history, Japanese people have fought for good farming land. Many Japanese people settled in coastal villages to fish for food. Because Japan is surrounded by water, merchants could travel easily on ships from town to town for trade.

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Japan’s Geography As a result, Japan developed an independent society with its own distinct culture.As a result, Japan developed an independent society with its own distinct culture. The ocean around the islands kept Japan isolated from outside influences.The ocean around the islands kept Japan isolated from outside influences.

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Japan’s Geography How did Japan’s geography shape its society? Sum It Up The ocean surrounding the islands isolated Japan from the rest of Asia. Japan developed its own independent society with unique religion, art, literature, and government.

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The First Settlers The first people to arrive in Japan probably came from northeast Asia between 30,000 and 10,000 B.C.The first people to arrive in Japan probably came from northeast Asia between 30,000 and 10,000 B.C. At that time, Japan was connected to the mainland of Asia.At that time, Japan was connected to the mainland of Asia. Wandering groups of people developed the Jomon culture around 5000 B.C.*Wandering groups of people developed the Jomon culture around 5000 B.C.* The Jomon people settled along the coast of Japan and fished for food.The Jomon people settled along the coast of Japan and fished for food.

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The First Settlers Around 300 B.C., the Yayoi people appeared.*Around 300 B.C., the Yayoi people appeared.* The Yayoi are ancestors of the Japanese people.The Yayoi are ancestors of the Japanese people. The Yayoi were skilled farmers, potters, and metalworkers.*The Yayoi were skilled farmers, potters, and metalworkers.* The Yayoi people were organized in clans, or groups of families related by blood or marriage.The Yayoi people were organized in clans, or groups of families related by blood or marriage.

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The First Settlers Warrior chiefs headed each clan and protected the people in return for a share of the rice harvest each year.Warrior chiefs headed each clan and protected the people in return for a share of the rice harvest each year. The Yayoi buried their chiefs in large mounds called kofun.*The Yayoi buried their chiefs in large mounds called kofun.*

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The First Settlers *Legend says that Japan was created when two gods dipped a spear into the ocean. The drops of salty water that fell from the spear are the islands of Japan.*Legend says that Japan was created when two gods dipped a spear into the ocean. The drops of salty water that fell from the spear are the islands of Japan. Adding to the legend, the two gods who created the islands are said to have created Amaterasu, the sun goddess, to rule over the Earth. Susanowo, the storm god, was created to be Amaterasu’s companion. Ninigi, Amaterasu’s grandson, ruled from the Earth.*Ninigi, Amaterasu’s grandson, ruled from the Earth.*

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The First Settlers *The Yamato clan brought most of Japan under its rule in the A.D. 500s.*The Yamato clan brought most of Japan under its rule in the A.D. 500s. According to myth, a Yamato leader named Jimmu founded a line of rulers of Japan that has never been broken.According to myth, a Yamato leader named Jimmu founded a line of rulers of Japan that has never been broken. Jimmu took the title “emperor of heaven” claiming to be a descendent of Amaterasu.Jimmu took the title “emperor of heaven” claiming to be a descendent of Amaterasu.

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The First Settlers Sum It Up What do historians know for sure about the Yamato?What do historians know for sure about the Yamato? During the A.D. 500s, a clan called the Yamato became strong enough to bring most of Japan under its rule.

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Prince Shotoku’s Reforms About A.D. 600, a Yamato prince named Shotoku took charge of Japan for his aunt, the empress Suiko (Swee-Koh).About A.D. 600, a Yamato prince named Shotoku took charge of Japan for his aunt, the empress Suiko (Swee-Koh). Shotoku wanted to reform Japan and based his reforms on the Chinese government, which had a strong emperor and trained officials.Shotoku wanted to reform Japan and based his reforms on the Chinese government, which had a strong emperor and trained officials. Shotoku created a constitution, or plan of government.Shotoku created a constitution, or plan of government.

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Prince Shotoku’s Reforms The constitution set out rules officials had to follow that were based on the ideas of Confucius.The constitution set out rules officials had to follow that were based on the ideas of Confucius. The constitution gave the emperor all the power and the ability to appoint all officials.The constitution gave the emperor all the power and the ability to appoint all officials. *Shotoku sent officials and students to schools in China and ordered Buddhist temples and monasteries to be built throughout Japan.*Shotoku sent officials and students to schools in China and ordered Buddhist temples and monasteries to be built throughout Japan.

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Prince Shotoku’s Reforms Horyuji is Japan’s oldest Buddhist temple and the world’s oldest surviving wooden building.Horyuji is Japan’s oldest Buddhist temple and the world’s oldest surviving wooden building. *The Great Change in A.D. 646. This divided Japan into provinces run by officials who reported to the emperor.*The Great Change in A.D. 646. This divided Japan into provinces run by officials who reported to the emperor. Government officials, instead of clan leaders, were responsible for collecting taxes.*Government officials, instead of clan leaders, were responsible for collecting taxes.*

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Prince Shotoku’s Reforms Sum It UpSum It Up What happened during the Great Change?What happened during the Great Change? The Yamato divided Japan into provinces run by officials who reported to the emperor, and all land came under the emperor’s control.

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What is Shinto? *Animism is the belief that all natural things are alive and have their own spirits.*Animism is the belief that all natural things are alive and have their own spirits. Early Japanese people believed in animism.Early Japanese people believed in animism. The kami were nature spirits.The kami were nature spirits.

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What is Shinto? Shinto developed from animism and means “way of the spirits.”*Shinto developed from animism and means “way of the spirits.”* Japanese people worshiped at shrines, or holy places, to honor the kami.Japanese people worshiped at shrines, or holy places, to honor the kami.